Writing Center Consultants 2008-2009

So you want to be a rock & roll star?
Well listen now to what I say.
Just get an electric guitar
And take some time and learn how to play
-The Byrds

So you wanna be a Writing Center consultant?

Being a consultant at the Writing Center is one of the most rewarding experiences available to students at Boise State. To work with other writers not only contributes to their learning, but to your own, and it is an incredibly satisfying feeling to be part of a productive consultation.

But being a consultant is also incredibly demanding. Good consultants are good writers, yes, but also good listeners, and they must be flexible enough to adapt to the needs of different writers and different writing situations. Of course we don’t expect everyone to be immediately ready to consult (nor do we ever envision a point where a consultant stops learning), so before anyone comes to work in the Center, he or she enrolls in the English 303 course, Theory and Practice of Tutoring Writing, offered every fall.

Enrollment in the course is limited, and students must fill out an application, submit a writing sample, and interview with the director of the Center and with one of the Center’s consultants before being considered.

Is this a lot to ask? Yes. But we pride ourselves on our work, and we think the rewarding experience of working with writers at Boise State is worth the effort. If you’re still interested in joining us in the Center, please see below for a full list of the requirements.

Requirements for Writing Center Work

We begin accepting applications in March for enrollment in the consulting course the following fall.

• Go to this page and print out an application, then fill out the whole application and attach a writing sample.
• Drop off your application and writing sample in the Writing Center (LA 200), and make an appointment with a consultant.
• Sit down with the consultant and talk about your interest in the work. The consultant will take notes to pass on to the director, but you should also use this time to ask questions of the consultant.
• After you’ve completed all of the above, email the director (michaelmattison@boisestate.edu) to schedule an interview.

Again, enrollment in the course is limited. We usually have 10-15 students each year. Decisions on enrollment will be made before the end of the spring semester.

If you have any questions that are not addressed on this page, please feel free to call or write us and we’ll be happy to answer them. (426-1298 or writing@boisestate.edu).